Three leading European starch producers have confirmed their interest
in the genetically modified potato Amflora.
The European Commission was called upon last week to approve
cultivation of the genetically modified potato Amflora in the European
Union. From the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, interest was expressed by
the starch-producing companies Avebe, the Emsland group and Lyckeby, to whom
Amflora potatoes are attractive because they produce pure amylopectin
starch. In contrast, conventional potatoes contain both amylopectin and
amylose starches, which differ in their suitability for various technical
employments.

A source of pure amylopectin would be particularly valuable in the
production of paper and its coating. Of the 1.51 million tonnes of starch
extracted yearly in the European Union from potatoes, maize and wheat,
almost a half is utilised in the non-food sector and primarily is applied in
paper mills. Representatives of the starch industry state an annual turnover
of 1.2 billion euro and that the direct use of pure amylopectin would
generate an added value of approximately 100 million euro for the business
and its associated farmers.

Amflora was developed by BASF and the application for its cultivation
in the European Union was submitted in 2003. Two years later, on the basis
of a scientific assessment, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
declared Amflora to be as safe as conventional potatoes. The EU Commission
has recommended the approval of Amflora but also has delayed final voting on
its own authorisation proposal.

This delay has dashed hopes expressed by BASF for the start of
commercial Amflora planting in 2008. Nonetheless, Gerben Meursing,
Commercial Director of Avebe, remains convinced that "plant biotechnology is
the key to the future of the potato starch industry".


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